Click here for Board of Directors 2007-2008

PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
Hockanum Industries, Inc. (HI) was the vision of a small group of local parents, special education teachers and service providers in the Vernon area.  The nonprofit agency was incorporated in April 1979, developed in 1980 and opened its doors for services to clients in 1981.  HI was founded to provide employment opportunities for developmentally disabled adults.  Acting on this vision has resulted in bringing reliable, cost-effective services to businesses in the region.

The first program started by Hockanum Industries was the Subcontract Business (SCB).  The retail Greenhouse business which sits on the grounds of the old Mansfield Training School in Mansfield, CT was added as a programmatic job site in 1982.  The Supported Employment program which placed work crews throughout the community was added in the late 1980’s.

Today Hockanum Industries provides employment and training to over forty (40) developmentally disabled workers annually through the Subcontract Business (piece work); hospitality and janitorial crews in municipal buildings, churches, retail stores and hotels; at Shred & Gone, HI’s own confidential shredding business and hanger recycling for a local dry cleaner;; and at the Greenhouse in Mansfield Depot.  In 2003, the agency added an Opportunities for Older Adults (OOA), a program that offers structured leisure activities for retired and semi-retired disabled workers.  Program development continued in 1984 with the addition of the Recreation Activity Program (RAP).  There are sixteen (16) staff currently employed as regular employees by the agency.

FUTURE GROWTH
The Board and management of Hockanum Industries foresee enlarging the Shred & Gone business and its location to offer broader employment opportunities to new and existing disabled workers.  The agency will also continue to work with local boards of education to provide employment opportunities for young adults as they transition from high school into the adult working world.  Moreover, Hockanum Industries will seek to offer new day program initiatives including afternoon and/or respite care services and a life skills program.  The overarching goals for each client/worker is to have him/her employed to the fullest extent of their potential in the most integrated setting possible that meets the worker’s stated preferences.  We recognize that to reach their highest potential our workers will need as much comprehensive support and skill building experiences as possible.  We are committed to do our part to make their potential become a reality!

HOW WE ARE FUNDED
Hockanum Industries receives most of its funding (69%) through the CT Department of Mental Retardation (DMR).  Other funding sources (in order of their primacy in the budget) include: income from the HI businesses, United Way, miscellaneous foundation grants, Town of Vernon, Town of Ellington, board and staff fundraising, annual appeal and donations